Author: Susan

Beanie’s Agility Class

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It was a busy day for Beanie and Biggles today. Beanie had her agility class in the morning while Biggles went for a good romp around the park with his buddies. Then after a quick lunch we headed off to Allers Farm for another “Hydro Fun” session (a kind of doggy pool party) with the Glasgow Dog Training Club.

Beanie is turning into a real water baby. I jumped in the pool and she dived straight in after me . She didn’t even wait to be led down the ramp! We had a hard time getting her out when her half hour slot was up. Biggles loves the water too, and was a bit miffed that he was only allowed in the pool for a couple of minutes. He’ll start building up his swimming time in a couple of weeks time when he turns 6 months.

Last week at Beanie’s agility class our instructor filmed the dogs during the training. The following short video features dogs from the beginner class (that’s Beanie’s class) through to novice and intermediate. Beanie’s little moment of fame is near the start – second dog to run. It’s interesting to watch the more advanced dogs as this is what Beanie will be doing over the coming weeks and months.

http://www.clearrunagility.co.uk/apps/videos/videos/view/1990603-training-classes

Different Sides of the Same Coin

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Most of the regular visitors to Beanie & Biggles blog know that they are in fact half brother and sister. They both have the same dad (Redcap Renaissance – or Sheriff). They also share some Newlin blood on their respective mothers’ side.

When we got Biggles we deliberately sought out one of Sheriff’s pups as we wanted another just like Beanie. Beanie’s mum wasn’t having any more litters so that wasn’t an option, and upon careful research it did seem that a lot of Beanie’s characteristics came from her dad’s side.

As it turned out, it would be hard to find a pup that was more different from Beanie! As a very little boy Biggles seemed huge. He was twice the weight Beanie was at the same age and incredibly chunky compared to her. Markings were of course very different, and personality too. Although they always shared the same sweet, pretty face, athleticism and delightful temperament!

Just take a look at these pictures of Biggles and Beanie beside similar poses from their dad. Don’t you think they each closely resemble one side of their dad?

Two Sides of the Same Coin
Two Sides of the Same Coin

For those that don’t know Sheriff he does, as the photos show, have completely different markings on each side!

More Agility Fun

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We took Beanie to Janie’s Agility Barn on Thursday for another practice session. We can’t believe how well she’s progressing. I’d love to see her running a course with an experienced handler as it seems to me that she never puts a foot wrong. It’s me that’s slowing us down!

Here are one or two video clips showing her progress. I think Beanie has now had 7 lessons – what a star! And that wheezing, middle aged bag lady huffing and puffing along beside her is me. Time for me to get into shape I think !!!

Firstly, here’s Beanie doing a trick that I only taught her a day or two ago. I thought weaving between my legs while I walk might help her when it comes to learning the weave poles in agility:

A little fun warm up session with Beanie running a few obstacles in a straight line:

And finally, a course including the A frame; several jumps; the tunnel and the chute tunnel. This was her very first run of this course. She hadn’t practiced, and was being guided by me every step of the way. She didn’t put a foot wrong, and as you can see she was slowing down considerably to allow me to keep up:

We’ve got another class tomorrow morning and if the weather holds out it will be in the park. It’ll be interesting to see if she is as well behaved outdoors as she’s been in the barn recently.